82_FR_45374 82 FR 45187 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Trading Programs

82 FR 45187 - Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia; Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Trading Programs

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 187 (September 28, 2017)

Page Range45187-45191
FR Document2017-20724

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct final action to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The submitted revision requests EPA remove from the Virginia SIP regulations from the Virginia Administrative Code that established EPA-administered trading programs under the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), one of which also included requirements to address nitrogen oxide (NO<INF>X</INF>) reductions required under the NO<INF>X</INF> SIP Call. The EPA-administered trading programs under CAIR were discontinued on December 31, 2014 upon the implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which was promulgated by EPA to replace CAIR. CSAPR established federal implementation plans (FIPs) for 23 states, including Virginia. The SIP submittal seeks removal from the Virginia SIP of Virginia regulations that implemented the CAIR annual NO<INF>X</INF>, ozone season NO<INF>X</INF>, and sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>) trading programs (as CSAPR has replaced CAIR). EPA is approving the SIP revision in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45187-45191]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20724]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R03-OAR-2017-0215; FRL-9968-34-Region 3]


Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; 
Virginia; Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) Trading Programs

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking direct 
final action to approve a state implementation plan (SIP) revision 
submitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The submitted revision 
requests EPA remove from the Virginia SIP regulations from the Virginia 
Administrative Code that established EPA-administered trading programs 
under the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), one of which also included 
requirements to address nitrogen oxide (NOX) reductions 
required under the NOX SIP Call. The EPA-administered 
trading programs under CAIR were discontinued on December 31, 2014 upon 
the implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which 
was promulgated by EPA to replace CAIR. CSAPR established federal 
implementation plans (FIPs) for 23 states, including Virginia. The SIP 
submittal seeks removal from the Virginia SIP of Virginia regulations 
that implemented the CAIR annual NOX, ozone season 
NOX, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) trading programs 
(as CSAPR has replaced CAIR). EPA is approving the SIP revision in 
accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

DATES: This rule is effective on November 27, 2017 without further 
notice, unless EPA receives adverse written comment by October 30, 
2017. If EPA receives such comments, it will publish a timely 
withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform 
the public that the rule will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R03-
OAR-2017-0215 at https://www.regulations.gov, or via email to 
[email protected]. For comments submitted at Regulations.gov, 
follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, 
comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either 
manner of submission, EPA may publish any comment received to its 
public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you 
consider to be

[[Page 45188]]

confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, 
video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written 
comment is considered the official comment and should include 
discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not 
consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary 
submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For 
additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full EPA public 
comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and 
general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Calcinore, (215) 814-2043, or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 5, 2017, the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 
(VADEQ), submitted a SIP revision (Revision D16) that requests removal 
from its SIP of Virginia Administrative Code regulations including 9 
VAC 5 Chapter 140: Part II--NOX Annual Trading Program; Part 
III--NOX Ozone Season Trading Program; and Part IV--
SO2 Annual Trading Program (Sections 5-140-1010 through 5-
140-3880).

I. Background

    EPA promulgated CAIR (70 FR 25162, May 12, 2005) to address 
transported emissions that significantly contributed to downwind 
states' nonattainment and maintenance of the 1997 ozone and fine 
particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality 
standards (NAAQS). CAIR required 28 states, including Virginia, to 
reduce emissions of NOX and SO2, precursors to 
the formation of ambient ozone and PM2.5. Under CAIR, EPA 
established federal implementation plans (FIPs) comprised of separate 
cap and trade programs for annual NOX, ozone season 
NOX, and annual SO2. States could comply with the 
requirements of CAIR by remaining on the FIP, which applied only to 
electric generating units (EGUs), or by submitting a CAIR SIP revision 
that included as trading sources EGUs and certain non-EGUs \1\ that 
formerly traded in the NOX Budget Trading Program under the 
NOX SIP Call.\2\ On December 28, 2007 (72 FR 73602), EPA 
approved a SIP revision submitted by Virginia that allowed the 
Commonwealth to participate in the EPA-administered CAIR regional cap 
and trade programs for NOX annual, NOX ozone 
season, and SO2 annual emissions. Virginia's NOX 
ozone season trading program under CAIR included non-EGUs that were 
previously trading in the NOX budget trading program under 
the NOX SIP Call, which satisfied Virginia's obligations 
under the NOX SIP Call.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ These non-EGUs are defined in the NOX SIP Call as 
stationary, fossil fuel-fired boilers, combustion turbines, or 
combined cycle systems with a maximum design heat input greater than 
250 million British thermal units per hour (MMBtu/hr).
    \2\ In October 1998, EPA finalized the ``Finding of Significant 
Contribution and Rulemaking for Certain States in the Ozone 
Transport Assessment Group Region for Purposes of Reducing Regional 
Transport of Ozone''--commonly called the NOX SIP Call. 
See 63 FR 57356 (October 27, 1998).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After EPA promulgated CAIR, litigation ensued. The United States 
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) 
initially vacated CAIR in 2008,\3\ but ultimately remanded the rule to 
EPA without vacatur to preserve the environmental benefits provided by 
CAIR.\4\ The ruling allowed CAIR to remain in effect temporarily until 
a replacement rule consistent with the D.C. Circuit's opinion was 
developed. While EPA worked on developing a replacement rule, the CAIR 
program continued as planned with the NOX annual and ozone 
season programs beginning in 2009 and the SO2 annual program 
beginning in 2010.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
    \4\ North Carolina v. EPA, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir. 2008).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 8, 2011 (76 FR 48208), acting on the D.C. Circuit's 
remand, EPA promulgated CSAPR to replace CAIR to address the interstate 
transport of emissions contributing to nonattainment and interfering 
with maintenance of the two air quality standards covered by CAIR as 
well as the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS. The rule also contained 
provisions that would sunset CAIR-related obligations on a schedule 
coordinated with the implementation of CSAPR compliance requirements. 
CSAPR was to become effective January 1, 2012; however, the timing of 
CSAPR's implementation was impacted by a number of court actions.
    Numerous parties filed petitions for review of CSAPR in the D.C. 
Circuit, and on December 30, 2011, the D.C. Circuit stayed CSAPR prior 
to its implementation and ordered EPA to continue administering CAIR on 
an interim basis.\5\ On August 21, 2012, the D.C. Circuit issued its 
ruling, vacating and remanding CSAPR to EPA and ordering continued 
implementation of CAIR. EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. EPA, 696 
F.3d 7, 38 (D.C. Cir. 2012). The D.C. Circuit's vacatur of CSAPR was 
reversed by the United States Supreme Court on April 29, 2014, and the 
case was remanded to the D.C. Circuit to resolve remaining issues in 
accordance with the Supreme Court's ruling. EPA v. EME Homer City 
Generation, L.P., 134 S. Ct. 1584 (2014). On remand, the D.C. Circuit 
affirmed CSAPR in most respects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Order of Dec. 30, 2011, in EME Homer City Generation, L.P. 
v. EPA, D.C. Cir. No. 11-1302.
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    Throughout the initial round of D.C. Circuit proceedings and the 
ensuing Supreme Court proceedings, the stay on CSAPR remained in place, 
and EPA continued to implement CAIR. Following the April 2014 Supreme 
Court decision, EPA filed a motion asking the D.C. Circuit to lift the 
stay in order to allow CSAPR to replace CAIR in an equitable and 
orderly manner while further D.C. Circuit proceedings were held to 
resolve remaining claims from petitioners. Additionally, EPA's motion 
requested to toll, by three years, all CSAPR compliance deadlines that 
had not passed as of the approval date of the stay. On October 23, 
2014, the D.C. Circuit granted EPA's request,\6\ and on December 3, 
2014 (79 FR 71663), in an interim final rule, EPA set the updated 
effective date of CSAPR as January 1, 2015 and tolled the 
implementation of CSAPR Phase I to 2015 and CSAPR Phase 2 to 2017. In 
accordance with the interim final rule, the sunset date for CAIR was 
December 31, 2014, and EPA began implementing CSAPR on January 1, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Order Document #1518738, EME Homer City Generation, L.P. v. 
EPA, No. 11-1302 (D.C. Cir. Issued Oct. 23, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Starting in January 2015, the CSAPR FIP trading programs for annual 
NOX, ozone season NOX, and annual SO2 
were applicable in Virginia. Thus, since January 1, 2015, Virginia 
regulations implementing the CAIR annual trading programs, including 
the NOX ozone season trading program addressing Virginia's 
obligations under the NOX SIP Call, have been obsolete and 
moot and none of these programs contribute to emission reductions in 
Virginia.
    On October 26, 2016 (81 FR 74504), EPA finalized the CSAPR Update 
Rule to address interstate transport of ozone pollution with respect to 
the 2008 ozone NAAQS, and issued FIPs that updated the ozone season 
NOX budgets for 22 states, including Virginia. Starting in 
January 2017, the CSAPR Update budgets were implemented via 
modifications to the CSAPR NOX ozone season allowance 
trading program that was established under the original CSAPR.

[[Page 45189]]

II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA Analysis

    VADEQ submitted a SIP revision on January 5, 2017 requesting the 
removal of regulations from the Virginia SIP under 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140: 
Part II--NOX Annual Trading Program, Part III--
NOX Ozone Season Trading Program, and Part IV--
SO2 Annual Trading Program (Sections 5-140-1010 through 5-
140-3880), which implemented the CAIR annual NOX, ozone 
season NOX, and annual SO2 trading programs. 
These regulations have been moot since January 1, 2015, when CSAPR 
replaced CAIR, and have been repealed in their entirety from the 
Virginia Administrative Code. The amendments removing these regulations 
were adopted by the State Air Pollution Control Board on September 9, 
2016 and were effective as of November 16, 2016.
    As noted previously, on January 1, 2015, the CAIR annual 
NOX, ozone season NOX, and annual SO2 
trading programs were replaced by the trading programs under the CSAPR 
FIP. Therefore, regulations in the Virginia SIP that implemented the 
CAIR annual trading programs have been obsolete and moot since January 
1, 2015. None of the provisions in 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140 which Virginia 
seeks to remove from the SIP presently reduce NOX or 
SO2 emissions from EGUs or certain non-EGUs after December 
31, 2014 as CAIR was replaced by CSAPR.
    These obsolete regulations include provisions under 9 VAC 5 Chapter 
140: Part III--NOX Ozone Season Trading Program Article 1--
CAIR NOX Ozone Season Trading Program General Provisions and 
Article 5--CAIR NOX Ozone Season Allowance Allocations, 
which addressed Virginia's obligations under the NOX SIP 
Call by including EGUs and certain large non-EGUs that had formerly 
traded under the NOX SIP Call trading program as CAIR 
trading sources. Unlike the CAIR trading program, CSAPR's trading 
program for ozone season NOX as promulgated in 2011 does not 
provide for non-EGUs to participate in trading. Therefore, since 
January 1, 2015, when CSAPR replaced CAIR and the CSAPR FIP became 
effective in Virginia, the Virginia SIP has not contained an effective 
regulation addressing Virginia's obligation under the NOX 
SIP Call to reduce NOX emissions from non-EGUs such as 
stationary, fossil fuel-fired boilers, combustion turbines, or combined 
cycle systems with a maximum design heat input greater than 250 MMBtu/
hr. The absence of an effective regulation in the Virginia SIP to 
reduce NOX emissions from these non-EGUs that formerly 
participated in the CAIR trading program resulted from the sunset of 
CAIR and EPA's implementation of CSAPR starting January 1, 2015. 
Because CSAPR did not provide for trading by non-EGUs, Virginia's SIP 
no longer meets the Virginia NOX SIP Call obligation with 
respect to these non-EGUs that formerly traded in CAIR. However, 
Virginia's request in its January 5, 2017 SIP seeking removal from its 
SIP of 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140: Part III--NOX Ozone Season 
Trading Program and EPA's action to approve the January 5, 2017 
submittal did not create this gap in coverage under the Virginia SIP. 
According to Virginia, the Commonwealth is in the process of drafting a 
regulation to address the Commonwealth's obligations under the 
NOX SIP Call (including its obligation to address these non-
EGUs which formerly traded in CAIR). In remedying its provisions to 
address the NOX SIP Call, Virginia must satisfy the 
requirements of 40 CFR 51.121(f) which lists requirements such as 
control measures to be included in SIP revisions to meet NOX 
budgets assigned under the NOX SIP Call. EPA expects 
Virginia will submit such provisions to EPA to be included in 
Virginia's SIP, and EPA will review and act on any such SIP submittal 
from Virginia addressing the Commonwealth's NOX SIP Call 
obligations in a separate rulemaking.
    Since the regulations implementing the CAIR annual NOX, 
ozone season NOX, and annual SO2 trading programs 
have been moot and non-operational since CAIR was replaced by CSAPR on 
January 1, 2015, removing these regulations from the Virginia SIP will 
not interfere with reduction of NOX or SO2 
emissions in Virginia and will not interfere with Virginia's attainment 
of any NAAQS, reasonable further progress, or any other applicable CAA 
requirement. In addition, as Virginia's SIP has not effectively 
addressed non-EGUs that formerly traded in CAIR for NOX SIP 
Call obligations since CAIR sunset, removing 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140: Part 
III--NOX Ozone Season Trading Program from the Virginia SIP 
will also not interfere with attainment of NAAQS, reasonable further 
progress, or any CAA requirement as the CAIR's sunset removed the non-
EGUs from the ozone season NOX trading program. Thus, EPA 
finds the January 5, 2017 SIP revision approvable in accordance with 
section 110 of the CAA, including specifically with section 110(l) of 
the CAA.

III. Final Action

    EPA is approving the January 5, 2017 SIP revision submission from 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, which sought removal from the Virginia 
SIP of moot regulations under 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140 that implemented the 
CAIR annual NOX, ozone season NOX, and annual 
SO2 trading programs at Part II--NOX Annual 
Trading Program; Part III--NOX Ozone Season Trading Program; 
and Part IV--SO2 Annual Trading Program (Sections 5-140-1010 
through 5-140-3880). EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal 
because EPA views this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipates 
no adverse comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of 
today's Federal Register, EPA is publishing a separate document that 
will serve as the proposal to approve the SIP revision if adverse 
comments are filed. This rule will be effective on November 27, 2017 
without further notice unless EPA receives adverse comment by October 
30, 2017. If EPA receives adverse comment, EPA will publish a timely 
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule 
will not take effect. EPA will address all public comments in a 
subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. EPA will not 
institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in commenting must do so at this time. Please note that if 
EPA receives adverse comment on an amendment, paragraph, or section of 
this rule and if that provision may be severed from the remainder of 
the rule, EPA may adopt as final those provisions of the rule that are 
not the subject of an adverse comment.

IV. General Information Pertaining to SIP Submittals From the 
Commonwealth of Virginia

    In 1995, Virginia adopted legislation that provides, subject to 
certain conditions, for an environmental assessment (audit) 
``privilege'' for voluntary compliance evaluations performed by a 
regulated entity. The legislation further addresses the relative burden 
of proof for parties either asserting the privilege or seeking 
disclosure of documents for which the privilege is claimed. Virginia's 
legislation also provides, subject to certain conditions, for a penalty 
waiver for violations of environmental laws when a regulated entity 
discovers such violations pursuant to a voluntary compliance evaluation 
and voluntarily discloses such violations to the Commonwealth and takes 
prompt and appropriate measures to remedy the violations. Virginia's 
Voluntary Environmental Assessment Privilege Law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1-
1198, provides a privilege that protects from disclosure documents and 
information about the

[[Page 45190]]

content of those documents that are the product of a voluntary 
environmental assessment. The Privilege Law does not extend to 
documents or information that: (1) Are generated or developed before 
the commencement of a voluntary environmental assessment; (2) are 
prepared independently of the assessment process; (3) demonstrate a 
clear, imminent and substantial danger to the public health or 
environment; or (4) are required by law.
    On January 12, 1998, the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the 
Attorney General provided a legal opinion that states that the 
Privilege Law, Va. Code Sec.  10.1-1198, precludes granting a privilege 
to documents and information ``required by law,'' including documents 
and information ``required by federal law to maintain program 
delegation, authorization or approval,'' since Virginia must ``enforce 
federally authorized environmental programs in a manner that is no less 
stringent than their federal counterparts . . . .'' The opinion 
concludes that ``[r]egarding Sec.  10.1-1198, therefore, documents or 
other information needed for civil or criminal enforcement under one of 
these programs could not be privileged because such documents and 
information are essential to pursuing enforcement in a manner required 
by federal law to maintain program delegation, authorization or 
approval.'' Virginia's Immunity law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1-1199, provides 
that ``[t]o the extent consistent with requirements imposed by federal 
law,'' any person making a voluntary disclosure of information to a 
state agency regarding a violation of an environmental statute, 
regulation, permit, or administrative order is granted immunity from 
administrative or civil penalty. The Attorney General's January 12, 
1998 opinion states that the quoted language renders this statute 
inapplicable to enforcement of any federally authorized programs, since 
``no immunity could be afforded from administrative, civil, or criminal 
penalties because granting such immunity would not be consistent with 
federal law, which is one of the criteria for immunity.''
    Therefore, EPA has determined that Virginia's Privilege and 
Immunity statutes will not preclude the Commonwealth from enforcing its 
program consistent with the federal requirements. In any event, because 
EPA has also determined that a state audit privilege and immunity law 
can affect only state enforcement and cannot have any impact on federal 
enforcement authorities, EPA may at any time invoke its authority under 
the CAA, including, for example, sections 113, 167, 205, 211 or 213, to 
enforce the requirements or prohibitions of the state plan, 
independently of any state enforcement effort. In addition, citizen 
enforcement under section 304 of the CAA is likewise unaffected by 
this, or any, state audit privilege or immunity law.

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. General Requirements

    Under the CAA, the Administrator is required to approve a SIP 
submission that complies with the provisions of the CAA and applicable 
federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). Thus, in 
reviewing SIP submissions, EPA's role is to approve state choices, 
provided that they meet the criteria of the CAA. Accordingly, this 
action merely approves state law as meeting federal requirements and 
does not impose additional requirements beyond those imposed by state 
law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 
12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 
2011);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the CAA; and
     does not provide EPA with the discretionary authority to 
address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or environmental 
effects, using practicable and legally permissible methods, under 
Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    The SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian reservation land as 
defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151 or in any other area where EPA or an Indian 
tribe has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of 
Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not 
impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal 
law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 
2000).

B. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

C. Petitions for Judicial Review

    Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA, petitions for judicial review 
of this action must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for 
the appropriate circuit by November 27, 2017. Filing a petition for 
reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule does not affect 
the finality of this action for the purposes of judicial review nor 
does it extend the time within which a petition for judicial review may 
be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness of such rule or 
action. Parties with objections to this direct final rule are 
encouraged to file a comment in response to the parallel notice of 
proposed rulemaking for this action published in the proposed rules 
section of today's Federal Register, rather than file an immediate 
petition for judicial review of this direct final rule, so that EPA can 
withdraw this direct final rule and address the comment in the proposed 
rulemaking action.
    This action removing from the Virginia SIP regulations under 
Sections 5-140-1010 through 5-140-3880 of 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140 that 
implemented the CAIR annual NOX, ozone season 
NOX, and annual SO2 trading programs may not be 
challenged later in

[[Page 45191]]

proceedings to enforce its requirements. (See section 307(b)(2).)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, 
Particulate matter, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Sulfur 
oxides, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: September 8, 2017.
Cecil Rodrigues,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.

    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

     Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart VV--Virginia


Sec.  52.2420  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  52.2420, the table in paragraph (c) is amended by:
0
a. Removing the section entitled ``Part II NOX Annual 
Trading Program'', including ``Article 1'' through ``Article 9'' 
including entries ``5-140-1010'' through ``5-140-1880'';
0
b. Removing the section entitled ``Part III NOX Ozone Season 
Trading Program'', including ``Article 1'' through ``Article 9'' 
including entries ``5-140-2010'' through ``5-140-2880''; and;
0
c. Removing the section entitled ``Part IV SO2 Annual 
Trading Program'', including ``Article 1'' through ``Article 9'' 
including entries ``5-140-3010'' through ``5-140-3880''.

[FR Doc. 2017-20724 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                      45187




                                                PART 1024—RULES FOR MUTUAL                               ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              replace CAIR. CSAPR established
                                                FUNDS                                                    AGENCY                                                federal implementation plans (FIPs) for
                                                                                                                                                               23 states, including Virginia. The SIP
                                                ■ 3. The authority citation for part 1024                40 CFR Part 52                                        submittal seeks removal from the
                                                continues to read as follows:                            [EPA–R03–OAR–2017–0215; FRL–9968–34–                  Virginia SIP of Virginia regulations that
                                                                                                         Region 3]                                             implemented the CAIR annual NOX,
                                                  Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1829b and 1951–1959;
                                                                                                                                                               ozone season NOX, and sulfur dioxide
                                                31 U.S.C. 5311–5314 and 5316–5332; title III,
                                                sec. 314 Pub. L. 107–56, 115 Stat. 307; sec.             Approval and Promulgation of Air                      (SO2) trading programs (as CSAPR has
                                                701, Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 599.                      Quality Implementation Plans; Virginia;               replaced CAIR). EPA is approving the
                                                                                                         Removal of Clean Air Interstate Rule                  SIP revision in accordance with the
                                                ■ 4. In § 1024.210:                                      (CAIR) Trading Programs                               requirements of the Clean Air Act
                                                ■ a. Redesignate paragraph (b)(4) as                                                                           (CAA).
                                                                                                         AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                                paragraph (b)(5);                                        Agency (EPA).                                         DATES:  This rule is effective on
                                                ■ b. In newly redesignated paragraph                     ACTION: Direct final rule.
                                                                                                                                                               November 27, 2017 without further
                                                (b)(5)(ii), remove the words ‘‘paragraph                                                                       notice, unless EPA receives adverse
                                                (b)(4)(ii)’’ and add in their place the                  SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection               written comment by October 30, 2017.
                                                words ‘‘paragraph (b)(5)(ii)’’; and                      Agency (EPA) is taking direct final                   If EPA receives such comments, it will
                                                                                                         action to approve a state                             publish a timely withdrawal of the
                                                ■ c. Add a new paragraph (b)(4).
                                                                                                         implementation plan (SIP) revision                    direct final rule in the Federal Register
                                                  The addition reads as follows:                         submitted by the Commonwealth of                      and inform the public that the rule will
                                                                                                         Virginia. The submitted revision                      not take effect.
                                                § 1024.210 Anti-money laundering
                                                program requirements for mutual funds.                   requests EPA remove from the Virginia                 ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                                                                         SIP regulations from the Virginia                     identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03–
                                                *     *    *    *     *
                                                                                                         Administrative Code that established                  OAR–2017–0215 at https://
                                                  (b) * * *                                              EPA-administered trading programs                     www.regulations.gov, or via email to
                                                  (4) Provide ongoing training for                       under the Clean Air Interstate Rule                   stahl.cynthia@epa.gov. For comments
                                                appropriate persons; and                                 (CAIR), one of which also included                    submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the
                                                *     *    *    *     *                                  requirements to address nitrogen oxide                online instructions for submitting
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                                                                         (NOX) reductions required under the                   comments. Once submitted, comments
                                                  Dated: September 14, 2017.                             NOX SIP Call. The EPA-administered                    cannot be edited or removed from
                                                Jamal El-Hindi,                                          trading programs under CAIR were                      Regulations.gov. For either manner of
                                                Deputy Director, Financial Crimes                        discontinued on December 31, 2014                     submission, EPA may publish any
                                                Enforcement Network.                                     upon the implementation of the Cross-                 comment received to its public docket.
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–20777 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]              State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR),                     Do not submit electronically any
                                                                                                                                                                                                           ER28SE17.007</GPH>




                                                BILLING CODE 4810–02–C                                   which was promulgated by EPA to                       information you consider to be


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                                                45188            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                confidential business information (CBI)                  under the NOX SIP Call.2 On December                  CAIR. EME Homer City Generation, L.P.
                                                or other information whose disclosure is                 28, 2007 (72 FR 73602), EPA approved                  v. EPA, 696 F.3d 7, 38 (D.C. Cir. 2012).
                                                restricted by statute. Multimedia                        a SIP revision submitted by Virginia that             The D.C. Circuit’s vacatur of CSAPR
                                                submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be                 allowed the Commonwealth to                           was reversed by the United States
                                                accompanied by a written comment.                        participate in the EPA-administered                   Supreme Court on April 29, 2014, and
                                                The written comment is considered the                    CAIR regional cap and trade programs                  the case was remanded to the D.C.
                                                official comment and should include                      for NOX annual, NOX ozone season, and                 Circuit to resolve remaining issues in
                                                discussion of all points you wish to                     SO2 annual emissions. Virginia’s NOX                  accordance with the Supreme Court’s
                                                make. EPA will generally not consider                    ozone season trading program under                    ruling. EPA v. EME Homer City
                                                comments or comment contents located                     CAIR included non-EGUs that were                      Generation, L.P., 134 S. Ct. 1584 (2014).
                                                outside of the primary submission (i.e.                  previously trading in the NOX budget                  On remand, the D.C. Circuit affirmed
                                                on the web, cloud, or other file sharing                 trading program under the NOX SIP                     CSAPR in most respects.
                                                system). For additional submission                       Call, which satisfied Virginia’s                         Throughout the initial round of D.C.
                                                methods, please contact the person                       obligations under the NOX SIP Call.                   Circuit proceedings and the ensuing
                                                identified in the FOR FURTHER                               After EPA promulgated CAIR,                        Supreme Court proceedings, the stay on
                                                INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the                     litigation ensued. The United States                  CSAPR remained in place, and EPA
                                                full EPA public comment policy,                          Court of Appeals for the District of                  continued to implement CAIR.
                                                information about CBI or multimedia                      Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) initially             Following the April 2014 Supreme
                                                submissions, and general guidance on                     vacated CAIR in 2008,3 but ultimately                 Court decision, EPA filed a motion
                                                making effective comments, please visit                  remanded the rule to EPA without                      asking the D.C. Circuit to lift the stay in
                                                http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/                             vacatur to preserve the environmental                 order to allow CSAPR to replace CAIR
                                                commenting-epa-dockets.                                  benefits provided by CAIR.4 The ruling                in an equitable and orderly manner
                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara
                                                                                                         allowed CAIR to remain in effect                      while further D.C. Circuit proceedings
                                                Calcinore, (215) 814–2043, or by email                   temporarily until a replacement rule                  were held to resolve remaining claims
                                                at calcinore.sara@epa.gov.                               consistent with the D.C. Circuit’s                    from petitioners. Additionally, EPA’s
                                                                                                         opinion was developed. While EPA                      motion requested to toll, by three years,
                                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
                                                                                                         worked on developing a replacement                    all CSAPR compliance deadlines that
                                                January 5, 2017, the Commonwealth of                     rule, the CAIR program continued as
                                                Virginia, through the Virginia                                                                                 had not passed as of the approval date
                                                                                                         planned with the NOX annual and                       of the stay. On October 23, 2014, the
                                                Department of Environmental Quality                      ozone season programs beginning in
                                                (VADEQ), submitted a SIP revision                                                                              D.C. Circuit granted EPA’s request,6 and
                                                                                                         2009 and the SO2 annual program                       on December 3, 2014 (79 FR 71663), in
                                                (Revision D16) that requests removal                     beginning in 2010.
                                                from its SIP of Virginia Administrative                                                                        an interim final rule, EPA set the
                                                                                                            On August 8, 2011 (76 FR 48208),                   updated effective date of CSAPR as
                                                Code regulations including 9 VAC 5                       acting on the D.C. Circuit’s remand, EPA
                                                Chapter 140: Part II—NOX Annual                                                                                January 1, 2015 and tolled the
                                                                                                         promulgated CSAPR to replace CAIR to                  implementation of CSAPR Phase I to
                                                Trading Program; Part III—NOX Ozone                      address the interstate transport of
                                                Season Trading Program; and Part IV—                                                                           2015 and CSAPR Phase 2 to 2017. In
                                                                                                         emissions contributing to nonattainment               accordance with the interim final rule,
                                                SO2 Annual Trading Program (Sections                     and interfering with maintenance of the
                                                5–140–1010 through 5–140–3880).                                                                                the sunset date for CAIR was December
                                                                                                         two air quality standards covered by                  31, 2014, and EPA began implementing
                                                I. Background                                            CAIR as well as the 2006 PM2.5 NAAQS.                 CSAPR on January 1, 2015.
                                                                                                         The rule also contained provisions that                  Starting in January 2015, the CSAPR
                                                   EPA promulgated CAIR (70 FR 25162,                    would sunset CAIR-related obligations
                                                May 12, 2005) to address transported                                                                           FIP trading programs for annual NOX,
                                                                                                         on a schedule coordinated with the                    ozone season NOX, and annual SO2
                                                emissions that significantly contributed                 implementation of CSAPR compliance
                                                to downwind states’ nonattainment and                                                                          were applicable in Virginia. Thus, since
                                                                                                         requirements. CSAPR was to become                     January 1, 2015, Virginia regulations
                                                maintenance of the 1997 ozone and fine                   effective January 1, 2012; however, the
                                                particulate matter (PM2.5) national                                                                            implementing the CAIR annual trading
                                                                                                         timing of CSAPR’s implementation was                  programs, including the NOX ozone
                                                ambient air quality standards (NAAQS).                   impacted by a number of court actions.
                                                CAIR required 28 states, including                                                                             season trading program addressing
                                                                                                            Numerous parties filed petitions for               Virginia’s obligations under the NOX
                                                Virginia, to reduce emissions of NOX                     review of CSAPR in the D.C. Circuit,
                                                and SO2, precursors to the formation of                                                                        SIP Call, have been obsolete and moot
                                                                                                         and on December 30, 2011, the D.C.                    and none of these programs contribute
                                                ambient ozone and PM2.5. Under CAIR,                     Circuit stayed CSAPR prior to its
                                                EPA established federal implementation                                                                         to emission reductions in Virginia.
                                                                                                         implementation and ordered EPA to                        On October 26, 2016 (81 FR 74504),
                                                plans (FIPs) comprised of separate cap                   continue administering CAIR on an
                                                and trade programs for annual NOX,                                                                             EPA finalized the CSAPR Update Rule
                                                                                                         interim basis.5 On August 21, 2012, the               to address interstate transport of ozone
                                                ozone season NOX, and annual SO2.                        D.C. Circuit issued its ruling, vacating
                                                States could comply with the                                                                                   pollution with respect to the 2008 ozone
                                                                                                         and remanding CSAPR to EPA and                        NAAQS, and issued FIPs that updated
                                                requirements of CAIR by remaining on                     ordering continued implementation of
                                                the FIP, which applied only to electric                                                                        the ozone season NOX budgets for 22
                                                generating units (EGUs), or by                             2 In October 1998, EPA finalized the ‘‘Finding of
                                                                                                                                                               states, including Virginia. Starting in
                                                submitting a CAIR SIP revision that                      Significant Contribution and Rulemaking for           January 2017, the CSAPR Update
                                                included as trading sources EGUs and                     Certain States in the Ozone Transport Assessment      budgets were implemented via
                                                                                                         Group Region for Purposes of Reducing Regional        modifications to the CSAPR NOX ozone
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                certain non-EGUs 1 that formerly traded                  Transport of Ozone’’—commonly called the NOX
                                                in the NOX Budget Trading Program                                                                              season allowance trading program that
                                                                                                         SIP Call. See 63 FR 57356 (October 27, 1998).
                                                                                                           3 North Carolina v. EPA, 531 F.3d 896 (D.C. Cir.    was established under the original
                                                  1 These non-EGUs are defined in the NO SIP Call
                                                                                             X
                                                                                                         2008).                                                CSAPR.
                                                                                                           4 North Carolina v. EPA, 550 F.3d 1176 (D.C. Cir.
                                                as stationary, fossil fuel-fired boilers, combustion
                                                turbines, or combined cycle systems with a               2008).                                                   6 Order Document #1518738, EME Homer City

                                                maximum design heat input greater than 250                 5 Order of Dec. 30, 2011, in EME Homer City         Generation, L.P. v. EPA, No. 11–1302 (D.C. Cir.
                                                million British thermal units per hour (MMBtu/hr).       Generation, L.P. v. EPA, D.C. Cir. No. 11–1302.       Issued Oct. 23, 2014).



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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                      45189

                                                II. Summary of SIP Revision and EPA                      participated in the CAIR trading                      Commonwealth of Virginia, which
                                                Analysis                                                 program resulted from the sunset of                   sought removal from the Virginia SIP of
                                                   VADEQ submitted a SIP revision on                     CAIR and EPA’s implementation of                      moot regulations under 9 VAC 5
                                                January 5, 2017 requesting the removal                   CSAPR starting January 1, 2015.                       Chapter 140 that implemented the CAIR
                                                of regulations from the Virginia SIP                     Because CSAPR did not provide for                     annual NOX, ozone season NOX, and
                                                under 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140: Part II—                      trading by non-EGUs, Virginia’s SIP no                annual SO2 trading programs at Part II—
                                                NOX Annual Trading Program, Part III—                    longer meets the Virginia NOX SIP Call                NOX Annual Trading Program; Part III—
                                                NOX Ozone Season Trading Program,                        obligation with respect to these non-                 NOX Ozone Season Trading Program;
                                                and Part IV—SO2 Annual Trading                           EGUs that formerly traded in CAIR.                    and Part IV—SO2 Annual Trading
                                                Program (Sections 5–140–1010 through                     However, Virginia’s request in its                    Program (Sections 5–140–1010 through
                                                5–140–3880), which implemented the                       January 5, 2017 SIP seeking removal                   5–140–3880). EPA is publishing this
                                                CAIR annual NOX, ozone season NOX,                       from its SIP of 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140:                  rule without prior proposal because
                                                and annual SO2 trading programs. These                   Part III—NOX Ozone Season Trading                     EPA views this as a noncontroversial
                                                                                                         Program and EPA’s action to approve                   amendment and anticipates no adverse
                                                regulations have been moot since
                                                                                                         the January 5, 2017 submittal did not                 comment. However, in the ‘‘Proposed
                                                January 1, 2015, when CSAPR replaced
                                                                                                         create this gap in coverage under the                 Rules’’ section of today’s Federal
                                                CAIR, and have been repealed in their
                                                                                                         Virginia SIP. According to Virginia, the              Register, EPA is publishing a separate
                                                entirety from the Virginia
                                                                                                         Commonwealth is in the process of                     document that will serve as the proposal
                                                Administrative Code. The amendments
                                                                                                         drafting a regulation to address the                  to approve the SIP revision if adverse
                                                removing these regulations were
                                                                                                         Commonwealth’s obligations under the                  comments are filed. This rule will be
                                                adopted by the State Air Pollution
                                                                                                         NOX SIP Call (including its obligation to             effective on November 27, 2017 without
                                                Control Board on September 9, 2016 and
                                                                                                         address these non-EGUs which formerly                 further notice unless EPA receives
                                                were effective as of November 16, 2016.
                                                                                                         traded in CAIR). In remedying its                     adverse comment by October 30, 2017.
                                                   As noted previously, on January 1,
                                                                                                         provisions to address the NOX SIP Call,               If EPA receives adverse comment, EPA
                                                2015, the CAIR annual NOX, ozone
                                                                                                         Virginia must satisfy the requirements                will publish a timely withdrawal in the
                                                season NOX, and annual SO2 trading
                                                                                                         of 40 CFR 51.121(f) which lists                       Federal Register informing the public
                                                programs were replaced by the trading
                                                                                                         requirements such as control measures                 that the rule will not take effect. EPA
                                                programs under the CSAPR FIP.
                                                                                                         to be included in SIP revisions to meet               will address all public comments in a
                                                Therefore, regulations in the Virginia
                                                                                                         NOX budgets assigned under the NOX                    subsequent final rule based on the
                                                SIP that implemented the CAIR annual
                                                                                                         SIP Call. EPA expects Virginia will                   proposed rule. EPA will not institute a
                                                trading programs have been obsolete                      submit such provisions to EPA to be                   second comment period on this action.
                                                and moot since January 1, 2015. None                     included in Virginia’s SIP, and EPA will              Any parties interested in commenting
                                                of the provisions in 9 VAC 5 Chapter                     review and act on any such SIP                        must do so at this time. Please note that
                                                140 which Virginia seeks to remove                       submittal from Virginia addressing the                if EPA receives adverse comment on an
                                                from the SIP presently reduce NOX or                     Commonwealth’s NOX SIP Call                           amendment, paragraph, or section of
                                                SO2 emissions from EGUs or certain                       obligations in a separate rulemaking.                 this rule and if that provision may be
                                                non-EGUs after December 31, 2014 as                         Since the regulations implementing                 severed from the remainder of the rule,
                                                CAIR was replaced by CSAPR.                              the CAIR annual NOX, ozone season                     EPA may adopt as final those provisions
                                                   These obsolete regulations include                    NOX, and annual SO2 trading programs                  of the rule that are not the subject of an
                                                provisions under 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140:                    have been moot and non-operational                    adverse comment.
                                                Part III—NOX Ozone Season Trading                        since CAIR was replaced by CSAPR on
                                                Program Article 1—CAIR NOX Ozone                         January 1, 2015, removing these                       IV. General Information Pertaining to
                                                Season Trading Program General                           regulations from the Virginia SIP will                SIP Submittals From the
                                                Provisions and Article 5—CAIR NOX                        not interfere with reduction of NOX or                Commonwealth of Virginia
                                                Ozone Season Allowance Allocations,                      SO2 emissions in Virginia and will not                  In 1995, Virginia adopted legislation
                                                which addressed Virginia’s obligations                   interfere with Virginia’s attainment of               that provides, subject to certain
                                                under the NOX SIP Call by including                      any NAAQS, reasonable further                         conditions, for an environmental
                                                EGUs and certain large non-EGUs that                     progress, or any other applicable CAA                 assessment (audit) ‘‘privilege’’ for
                                                had formerly traded under the NOX SIP                    requirement. In addition, as Virginia’s               voluntary compliance evaluations
                                                Call trading program as CAIR trading                     SIP has not effectively addressed non-                performed by a regulated entity. The
                                                sources. Unlike the CAIR trading                         EGUs that formerly traded in CAIR for                 legislation further addresses the relative
                                                program, CSAPR’s trading program for                     NOX SIP Call obligations since CAIR                   burden of proof for parties either
                                                ozone season NOX as promulgated in                       sunset, removing 9 VAC 5 Chapter 140:                 asserting the privilege or seeking
                                                2011 does not provide for non-EGUs to                    Part III—NOX Ozone Season Trading                     disclosure of documents for which the
                                                participate in trading. Therefore, since                 Program from the Virginia SIP will also               privilege is claimed. Virginia’s
                                                January 1, 2015, when CSAPR replaced                     not interfere with attainment of                      legislation also provides, subject to
                                                CAIR and the CSAPR FIP became                            NAAQS, reasonable further progress, or                certain conditions, for a penalty waiver
                                                effective in Virginia, the Virginia SIP                  any CAA requirement as the CAIR’s                     for violations of environmental laws
                                                has not contained an effective regulation                sunset removed the non-EGUs from the                  when a regulated entity discovers such
                                                addressing Virginia’s obligation under                   ozone season NOX trading program.                     violations pursuant to a voluntary
                                                the NOX SIP Call to reduce NOX                           Thus, EPA finds the January 5, 2017 SIP               compliance evaluation and voluntarily
                                                emissions from non-EGUs such as                          revision approvable in accordance with                discloses such violations to the
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                stationary, fossil fuel-fired boilers,                   section 110 of the CAA, including                     Commonwealth and takes prompt and
                                                combustion turbines, or combined cycle                   specifically with section 110(l) of the               appropriate measures to remedy the
                                                systems with a maximum design heat                       CAA.                                                  violations. Virginia’s Voluntary
                                                input greater than 250 MMBtu/hr. The                                                                           Environmental Assessment Privilege
                                                absence of an effective regulation in the                III. Final Action                                     Law, Va. Code Sec. 10.1–1198, provides
                                                Virginia SIP to reduce NOX emissions                        EPA is approving the January 5, 2017               a privilege that protects from disclosure
                                                from these non-EGUs that formerly                        SIP revision submission from the                      documents and information about the


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                                                45190            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                content of those documents that are the                  or 213, to enforce the requirements or                  The SIP is not approved to apply on
                                                product of a voluntary environmental                     prohibitions of the state plan,                       any Indian reservation land as defined
                                                assessment. The Privilege Law does not                   independently of any state enforcement                in 18 U.S.C. 1151 or in any other area
                                                extend to documents or information                       effort. In addition, citizen enforcement              where EPA or an Indian tribe has
                                                that: (1) Are generated or developed                     under section 304 of the CAA is                       demonstrated that a tribe has
                                                before the commencement of a                             likewise unaffected by this, or any, state            jurisdiction. In those areas of Indian
                                                voluntary environmental assessment; (2)                  audit privilege or immunity law.                      country, the rule does not have tribal
                                                are prepared independently of the                                                                              implications and will not impose
                                                                                                         V. Statutory and Executive Order
                                                assessment process; (3) demonstrate a                                                                          substantial direct costs on tribal
                                                                                                         Reviews
                                                clear, imminent and substantial danger                                                                         governments or preempt tribal law as
                                                to the public health or environment; or                  A. General Requirements                               specified by Executive Order 13175 (65
                                                (4) are required by law.                                    Under the CAA, the Administrator is                FR 67249, November 9, 2000).
                                                   On January 12, 1998, the                              required to approve a SIP submission
                                                Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the                                                                         B. Submission to Congress and the
                                                                                                         that complies with the provisions of the              Comptroller General
                                                Attorney General provided a legal                        CAA and applicable federal regulations.
                                                opinion that states that the Privilege                   42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a).                      The Congressional Review Act, 5
                                                Law, Va. Code § 10.1–1198, precludes                     Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions,                   U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small
                                                granting a privilege to documents and                    EPA’s role is to approve state choices,               Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                                information ‘‘required by law,’’                         provided that they meet the criteria of               Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides
                                                including documents and information                      the CAA. Accordingly, this action                     that before a rule may take effect, the
                                                ‘‘required by federal law to maintain                    merely approves state law as meeting                  agency promulgating the rule must
                                                program delegation, authorization or                     federal requirements and does not                     submit a rule report, which includes a
                                                approval,’’ since Virginia must ‘‘enforce                impose additional requirements beyond                 copy of the rule, to each House of the
                                                federally authorized environmental                       those imposed by state law. For that                  Congress and to the Comptroller General
                                                programs in a manner that is no less                     reason, this action:                                  of the United States. EPA will submit a
                                                stringent than their federal counterparts                   • Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory                report containing this action and other
                                                . . . .’’ The opinion concludes that                     action’’ subject to review by the Office              required information to the U.S. Senate,
                                                ‘‘[r]egarding § 10.1–1198, therefore,                    of Management and Budget under                        the U.S. House of Representatives, and
                                                documents or other information needed                    Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735,                  the Comptroller General of the United
                                                for civil or criminal enforcement under                  October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821,               States prior to publication of the rule in
                                                one of these programs could not be                       January 21, 2011);                                    the Federal Register. A major rule
                                                privileged because such documents and                       • does not impose an information                   cannot take effect until 60 days after it
                                                information are essential to pursuing                    collection burden under the provisions                is published in the Federal Register.
                                                enforcement in a manner required by                      of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44                    This action is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as
                                                federal law to maintain program                          U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);                                 defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
                                                delegation, authorization or approval.’’                    • is certified as not having a
                                                Virginia’s Immunity law, Va. Code Sec.                   significant economic impact on a                      C. Petitions for Judicial Review
                                                10.1–1199, provides that ‘‘[t]o the extent               substantial number of small entities                     Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
                                                consistent with requirements imposed                     under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5               petitions for judicial review of this
                                                by federal law,’’ any person making a                    U.S.C. 601 et seq.);                                  action must be filed in the United States
                                                voluntary disclosure of information to a                    • does not contain any unfunded                    Court of Appeals for the appropriate
                                                state agency regarding a violation of an                 mandate or significantly or uniquely
                                                environmental statute, regulation,                                                                             circuit by November 27, 2017. Filing a
                                                                                                         affect small governments, as described                petition for reconsideration by the
                                                permit, or administrative order is                       in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                                                granted immunity from administrative                                                                           Administrator of this final rule does not
                                                                                                         of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4);
                                                                                                                                                               affect the finality of this action for the
                                                or civil penalty. The Attorney General’s                    • does not have federalism
                                                January 12, 1998 opinion states that the                                                                       purposes of judicial review nor does it
                                                                                                         implications as specified in Executive
                                                quoted language renders this statute                                                                           extend the time within which a petition
                                                                                                         Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
                                                inapplicable to enforcement of any                                                                             for judicial review may be filed, and
                                                                                                         1999);
                                                federally authorized programs, since                        • is not an economically significant               shall not postpone the effectiveness of
                                                ‘‘no immunity could be afforded from                     regulatory action based on health or                  such rule or action. Parties with
                                                administrative, civil, or criminal                       safety risks subject to Executive Order               objections to this direct final rule are
                                                penalties because granting such                          13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997);                  encouraged to file a comment in
                                                immunity would not be consistent with                       • is not a significant regulatory action           response to the parallel notice of
                                                federal law, which is one of the criteria                subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR               proposed rulemaking for this action
                                                for immunity.’’                                          28355, May 22, 2001);                                 published in the proposed rules section
                                                   Therefore, EPA has determined that                       • is not subject to requirements of                of today’s Federal Register, rather than
                                                Virginia’s Privilege and Immunity                        Section 12(d) of the National                         file an immediate petition for judicial
                                                statutes will not preclude the                           Technology Transfer and Advancement                   review of this direct final rule, so that
                                                Commonwealth from enforcing its                          Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) because              EPA can withdraw this direct final rule
                                                program consistent with the federal                      application of those requirements would               and address the comment in the
                                                requirements. In any event, because                      be inconsistent with the CAA; and                     proposed rulemaking action.
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                EPA has also determined that a state                        • does not provide EPA with the                       This action removing from the
                                                audit privilege and immunity law can                     discretionary authority to address, as                Virginia SIP regulations under Sections
                                                affect only state enforcement and cannot                 appropriate, disproportionate human                   5–140–1010 through 5–140–3880 of 9
                                                have any impact on federal enforcement                   health or environmental effects, using                VAC 5 Chapter 140 that implemented
                                                authorities, EPA may at any time invoke                  practicable and legally permissible                   the CAIR annual NOX, ozone season
                                                its authority under the CAA, including,                  methods, under Executive Order 12898                  NOX, and annual SO2 trading programs
                                                for example, sections 113, 167, 205, 211                 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).                      may not be challenged later in


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                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 187 / Thursday, September 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                               45191

                                                proceedings to enforce its requirements.                 SIP revision concerns the establishment                California, we classified six ozone
                                                (See section 307(b)(2).)                                 of a Photochemical Assessment                          nonattainment areas as Serious, Severe,
                                                                                                         Monitoring System (PAMS) network in                    or Extreme: Los Angeles-South Coast
                                                List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
                                                                                                         six ozone nonattainment areas within                   Air Basin (‘‘South Coast’’), Sacramento
                                                  Environmental protection, Air                          California. The EPA is taking this action              Metro, San Diego County, San Joaquin
                                                pollution control, Incorporation by                      under the Clean Air Act based on the                   Valley, Southeast Desert Modified Air
                                                reference, Intergovernmental relations,                  conclusion that all applicable statutory               Quality Management Area (‘‘Southeast
                                                Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Particulate                     and regulatory requirements related to                 Desert’’) and Ventura County.2 Such
                                                matter, Reporting and recordkeeping                      PAMS SIP revisions have been met.                      areas were subject to many
                                                requirements, Sulfur oxides, Volatile                    DATES: This rule is effective October 30,              requirements, including those related to
                                                organic compounds.                                       2017.                                                  enhanced monitoring in CAA section
                                                  Dated: September 8, 2017.                              ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a                   182(c)(1).
                                                                                                         docket for this action under Docket No.                   CAA section 182(c)(1) of the CAA
                                                Cecil Rodrigues,
                                                                                                         EPA–R09–OAR–2017–0411. All                             required the EPA to promulgate rules for
                                                Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.                                                                      enhanced monitoring of ozone, oxides
                                                                                                         documents in the docket are listed on
                                                    40 CFR part 52 is amended as follows:                the http://www.regulations.gov Web                     of nitrogen, and volatile organic
                                                                                                         site. Although listed on the Web site,                 compounds to obtain more
                                                PART 52—APPROVAL AND                                                                                            comprehensive and representative data
                                                                                                         some information is not publicly
                                                PROMULGATION OF                                                                                                 on ozone air pollution in areas
                                                                                                         available, e.g., Confidential Business
                                                IMPLEMENTATION PLANS                                                                                            designated nonattainment and classified
                                                                                                         Information (CBI) or other information
                                                                                                         whose disclosure is restricted by statute.             as Serious, Severe or Extreme. The
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52                                                                         EPA’s final PAMS regulation was
                                                continues to read as follows:                            Certain other material, such as
                                                                                                         copyrighted material, is not placed on                 promulgated on February 12, 1993 (58
                                                    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.                    the Internet and will be publicly                      FR 8452). Section 182(c)(1) also
                                                                                                         available only in hard copy form.                      required states to submit SIP revisions
                                                Subpart VV—Virginia                                                                                             providing for enhanced monitoring for
                                                                                                         Publicly available docket materials are
                                                § 52.2420    [Amended]                                   available through http://                              such areas consistent with the PAMS
                                                                                                         www.regulations.gov, or please contact                 regulation.
                                                ■  2. In § 52.2420, the table in paragraph                                                                         On November 10, 1993, the California
                                                                                                         the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
                                                (c) is amended by:                                                                                              Air Resources Board (CARB) submitted
                                                                                                         INFORMATION CONTACT section for
                                                ■ a. Removing the section entitled ‘‘Part                                                                       to the EPA a SIP revision for PAMS
                                                                                                         additional availability information.
                                                II NOX Annual Trading Program’’,                                                                                networks in California (‘‘California
                                                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                including ‘‘Article 1’’ through ‘‘Article                                                                       PAMS SIP revision’’). The California
                                                9’’ including entries ‘‘5–140–1010’’                     Doris Lo, EPA Region IX, (415) 972–                    PAMS SIP revision consists of PAMS
                                                through ‘‘5–140–1880’’;                                  3959, lo.doris@epa.gov.                                commitments from five California air
                                                ■ b. Removing the section entitled ‘‘Part                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             districts with jurisdiction within the six
                                                III NOX Ozone Season Trading                             Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’              relevant ozone nonattainment areas: The
                                                Program’’, including ‘‘Article 1’’ through               and ‘‘our’’ refer to the EPA.                          South Coast Air Quality Management
                                                ‘‘Article 9’’ including entries ‘‘5–140–                 Table of Contents                                      District (AQMD) (for South Coast and
                                                2010’’ through ‘‘5–140–2880’’; and;                                                                             Southeast Desert areas); Sacramento
                                                                                                         I. Proposed Action                                     Metro AQMD (for the Sacramento Metro
                                                ■ c. Removing the section entitled ‘‘Part
                                                                                                         II. Public Comments
                                                IV SO2 Annual Trading Program’’,                         III. Final Action
                                                                                                                                                                area); San Diego County Air Pollution
                                                including ‘‘Article 1’’ through ‘‘Article                IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews              Control District (APCD) (for the San
                                                9’’ including entries ‘‘5–140–3010’’                                                                            Diego County area); San Joaquin Valley
                                                through ‘‘5–140–3880’’.                                  I. Proposed Action                                     Unified APCD (for the San Joaquin
                                                [FR Doc. 2017–20724 Filed 9–27–17; 8:45 am]                 On August 2, 2017 (82 FR 35922), we                 Valley area), and Ventura County APCD
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                   proposed to approve a SIP revision                     (for the Ventura County area), as well as
                                                                                                         submitted by the State of California on                CARB Executive Orders approving the
                                                                                                         November 10, 1993. Herein, we refer to                 commitments, and public process
                                                ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                 our proposed action on August 2, 2017,                 documentation. The California PAMS
                                                AGENCY                                                   as the ‘‘proposed rule.’’                              SIP revision is intended to meet the
                                                                                                            In our proposed rule, we provided a                 requirements of section 182(c)(1) of the
                                                40 CFR Part 52                                           discussion of the regulatory context                   Act and to comply with the PAMS
                                                                                                         leading to the SIP revision submitted by               regulation, codified at 40 CFR part 58,
                                                [EPA–R09–OAR–2017–0411; FRL–9968–38–                                                                            as promulgated on February 12, 1993.
                                                Region 9]
                                                                                                         California on November 10, 1993. In
                                                                                                         short, the Clean Air Act (CAA or ‘‘Act’’),                In our proposed rule, we identified
                                                Approval and Promulgation of                             as amended in 1990, required the EPA                   the criteria we used to review the
                                                Implementation Plans; Enhanced                           to designate as nonattainment, and to                  California PAMS SIP revision submittal
                                                Monitoring; California                                   classify as Marginal, Moderate, Serious,               and provided our evaluation and
                                                                                                         Severe or Extreme, any ozone areas that                rationale for proposed approval. We
                                                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                        were still designated nonattainment                    determined that California’s PAMS SIP
                                                Agency (EPA).                                            under the 1977 Act Amendments, and                     revision meets all applicable
jstallworth on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES




                                                ACTION: Final rule.                                      any other areas violating the 1-hour                   requirements: (1) By first committing to,
                                                                                                         ozone standard, generally based on air                 and then by implementing, PAMS
                                                SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                  quality monitoring data from the 1987                  networks as required in 40 CFR part 58;
                                                Agency (EPA) is taking final action to                   through 1989 period.1 Within                           and (2) by providing the public with an
                                                approve a State Implementation Plan                                                                             opportunity to inspect the proposed
                                                (SIP) revision submitted by the State of                   1 See section 107(d)(4) of the Act. See also 56 FR

                                                California on November 10, 1993. This                    56694, November 6, 1991.                                2 See   56 FR 56694, November 6, 1991.



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Document Created: 2017-09-28 01:33:08
Document Modified: 2017-09-28 01:33:08
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionDirect final rule.
DatesThis rule is effective on November 27, 2017 without further notice, unless EPA receives adverse written comment by October 30, 2017. If EPA receives such comments, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the direct final rule in the Federal Register and inform the public that the rule will not take effect.
ContactSara Calcinore, (215) 814-2043, or by email at [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 45187 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Incorporation by Reference; Intergovernmental Relations; Nitrogen Dioxide; Ozone; Particulate Matter; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Sulfur Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds

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